In the process of evolution, mankind has invented many ways of preparing products that allow them to be preserved for a long time. One of them is drying. Today we will dwell in more detail on the process of drying fish, the devices used for this and some of the nuances and features of the process of their independent production.
With a successful combination of circumstances, the catch of an angler can be calculated not by pieces of caught fish, but by kilograms of its weight.
And in this case, it becomes necessary to preserve the extracted product. Of course, a refrigerator can come to the rescue. But what incomparable pleasure you experience when eating a fish caught and dried with your own hands.
When harvesting a catch, you should remember some of the features. First, the fish should be thoroughly salted before drying.
To improve the taste of the future product, it is better to use not only salt, sprinkling the rows of tailed ones in a bulky container, but also add a few handfuls of black peppercorns and grind a dozen leaves of lavrushka.
Some gourmets mix salt and sugar in a 3/1 ratio. In the case of salting the catch directly at the fishing site, especially in the hot season, in order to avoid spoilage, it is recommended to gut the fish. In this case, the amount of salt can be slightly reduced.
Secondly, in the process of drying, the fish is very attracted to flies, striving to plant their eggs in each carcass. Naturally, this "seasoning" is not to many people's taste, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent free access of insects. Consider several options for household fish dryers, made by hand from a variety of materials at hand.
It is a rectangular wooden box with a fish hanging system. As building material take several slats of wood with a section of 20x40 mm, cut a sufficient number of parts from them.
Connect the resulting bars in the corners with nails or self-tapping screws, being careful not to split the ends.
To keep out insects, you can use a synthetic mosquito net, which is not difficult to get at any hardware store.
The cell size should be minimal and not exceed 1-1.5 mm. Fastening the mesh to the frame can be done with small studs, but it is much more convenient to use a furniture stapler for this purpose.
To save cellular material, one of the walls of the drying chamber can be sewn up with a sheet of thin plywood or fiberboard.
Suspension of fish during drying can be carried out on wire strings or nylon cords stretched between the bars of the dryer cover. It is convenient to attach the catch directly to hooks made of stainless paper clips.
This option is suitable for plastic lovers. You will need the following materials:
The advantage of this model is mobility, easy assembly, low weight, as well as a small volume that it takes up when stored unassembled. For assembly, it is enough to insert the frames into the connecting corners without using adhesives. This will create a side railing for the dryer.
Then set the same corners on the lower edges of the frames and put the bottom on them - a piece of the panel.
The next stage is made of pieces of plastic corner profile we will make a fastening system to hold the fish. To do this, from the inside, vertically install the corners in the corners of the body and place four more on them in a spacer.
On the prepared suspension we put salted fish, strung on wooden skewers or pieces of steel wire.
It is better to cover the bottom of the dryer with paper towels to collect the dripping brine. We close the top of the structure with a lid assembled from the second piece of the panel and four pieces of the edge profile. The top cover can be non-separable, fastened using glue or a stapler.
The version of the dryer, made on the basis of two fruit boxes, is quite simple to manufacture. In the device, the container is located one above the other in an inverted form. At the top box, you must first remove the cellular part of the bottom.
It is convenient to do this with a sharp knife or side cutters. The boxes can be connected to each other using glue or self-tapping screws.
Sew two bags with a rubber band at the neck to provide insect protection from the mosquito net. The lower bag is stationary, and the upper one will be installed after loading the next batch of fish.
To fasten the catch during drying, you can use wooden slats with a section of 15x20 mm, into which nails with removed heads are driven in with a certain pitch. Depending on the size of the fish, the slats can be set higher or lower. If it is necessary to dry pike, zander, another intermediate box with a completely removed bottom can be added to the structure. In working order, drying from the container will look like this.
Human thought has no boundaries. To solve the issues of drying fish, various options for dryers are used from various materials... Stationary on the basis of plastic window nets can be made in another version, different from the collapsible one described above.
For the welder, a more convenient option is made entirely on a non-separable metal frame.
At the same time, the device can be operated both suspended and installed on the ground in the shade. garden trees or a canopy. It has been noticed that drying the fish (drying) is best done in a semi-shaded place, and not in the open sun. In this case, the product will be more tender, soft and greasy.
In places characterized by large volumes of fish caught, it is advisable to use large-volume stationary dryers, which allow loading large batches of fish up to several tens of kilograms.
Even an ordinary umbrella, complemented by a fine mesh sleeve, can be used by savvy anglers to harvest fish in field conditions. It is enough to hang it to the nearest tree and hang the salted day catch on the needles. IN Soviet times with a total shortage of a mosquito net, one could not even dream of, but the people easily got out of difficult situations. Disused tulle was used as protection against insects.
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How to properly dry fish in a dryer and how, if necessary, make it yourself? What is the best way to dry fish to give it the best taste? How to avoid the most common mistakes when using these technologies? We will talk about all this in more detail in this issue and immediately please leave a comment at the bottom of the page to understand how good the material turned out to be.
There are many types of dryers by model, size, capacity, materials for production. There are frame and folding, stationary and suspended, designed exclusively for drying fish and universal, that is, they are also suitable for drying berries, mushrooms, nuts, vegetables, herbs, fruits, bee pollen.
All of them are united presence of walls from a net or gauze, which excludes contact of flies and their larvae with fish, and allows the air to do its job. And also the presence of a door for loading and unloading the catch, shelves, hooks or wires to place the fish in the correct position.
It is in this opportunity to save your catch from infection by larvae and subsequent spoilage of products that the advantage of using various types of dryers over the traditional method of drying fish (by hanging it on a rope or wire somewhere under a canopy, in an attic or balcony) lies.
Modern online stores, as well as departments of fishing equipment in sports stores and markets present to the buyer a wide variety of models of fish dryers in different options value for money.
But with all the variety of products offered, it is far from always possible to choose a dryer model that suits the needs of a particular angler. After all, catches from different fishermen can be strikingly different in the number and size of fish caught. The home conditions in which the fish will be dried also differ. Therefore, many household fishermen, adjusting the parameters of the created device to their needs.
First of all, you need to decide where exactly the drying will take place... If under a canopy or in the attic of a private house, there are no problems with dimensions. If in one of the rooms, on the balcony or loggia of the apartment, then the dimensions of the future dryer must be calculated based on the possibility of placing it in these rooms for drying and subsequent storage. You also need to keep in mind the size and number of fish caught in the previous fishing. Or calculate these parameters for future catches.
If there is very little space, you can consider options for folding and hanging dryers. After determining the required dimensions, you need to decide on the materials for manufacturing. They can also be very diverse. For the frame and doors, bars, slats or boards, remnants of an aluminum profile or corner are usually used - that is, any suitable durable materials.
Below are some examples of the original creativity of our anglers.
As they say - it is better to see once than hear 100 times. Therefore, we invite your attention to watch the video from detailed description making a dryer with your own hands.
The drying time and the choice of technology largely depend on the type and size of the caught fish, as well as on the gastronomic preferences of the fisherman himself.
Before drying the fish, it must be salted. Small fish can be salted whole. The larger one must first be gutted and incisions made along the back. And the biggest will be required cut into pieces suitable for the size of the salting dishes. The duration of salting again depends on the size of the fish and the fisherman's taste preferences - the longer you salt, the more salty the fish will be. On average, enough 2-6 days... After that, the fish is taken out, washed with running water and placed in a bowl with clean water for an average of an hour to soak and remove excess salt.
After soaking, the fish must be dried by laying it out on a simple towel and placed in a constructed dryer. Exist two ways to hang fish on hooks or ropes of the dryer - behind the head (through the eyes) and behind the tail (after making a hole in the right place of the fish's body with an awl).
Each way has its pros and cons... For example, if you hang it by the tail, then the fat will drain through the mouth and the fish may come out a little dry. And if behind the head, then the remaining fat can give the meat a peculiar taste. In general, each fisherman chooses the method of hanging himself in accordance with the breed of fish and with his experience and taste preferences.
After hanging, the dryer is placed out of direct sunlight... Best in a draft. The catch is dried for about a week. Samples are taken starting from the smallest specimens.
When salting and drying fish, the most common mistakes should be avoided.
Are you used to making a ram in the old fashioned way? There is a proven modern way, allowing you to secure the product. Fish dryer - an opportunity to make the process easier. Dry the catch in the fresh air, but away from sunlight. The optimal solution is shade, which cannot always be provided in nature. You can also buy a fish dryer for home use. Sturdy yet lightweight construction keeps insects and other pests safe from the catch.
Drying structure - fishing equipment, which is indispensable both for hiking and at home. The compact device is stable and has increased strength. With its help, the process of obtaining dried or dried fish will become simple and straightforward. There are several types of such equipment. Hanging fish dryer can be used while fishing. It is enough to hang it on a tree or fix it above the ground with a tripod. Models on a stable metal frame can be installed anywhere. They are suitable for high volume production.
Advantages:
Need a fish dryer in Moscow? It offers to buy it
Yuri Depeshev Updated: 25.04.2017
IN summer period most anglers become the owners of a weighty catch. The main problem in this case is to ensure the safety of production over a long period. Drying the catch can be a solution to the problem, which will prevent spoilage of the product for the next 8-12 months.
However, a special dryer will be required to ensure drying. You can either buy it in any specialized store or make it yourself. For these purposes, a small amount of materials and tools will be required.
Before you start manufacturing the product, you should familiarize yourself a little with its features, which include:
There are a huge number of types of dryers, which are classified according to:
Among the main most popular types, it is worth highlighting:
Despite the slight difference in design, they are united by the presence of mesh (gauze) walls that do not interfere with the passage of air masses and prevent the deposition of fly larvae on fish. The presence of a door (for loading and unloading products) makes the placement process very simple.
To load and unload the catch from maximum comfort the dryer must be dimensioned correctly. The best option the following dimensions will become:
In this case, the dryer will be roomy and at least three levels will be located on it. Each of the levels should be equipped with three metal rods, which will allow the catch to be suspended. The drying chamber with the specified dimensions allows you to wither 80-100 crucians at a time (weighing about 300-400 grams each).
How to increase your fish catch?
For 7 years of active fishing enthusiasm, I have found dozens of ways to improve the bite. Here are the most effective ones:
To determine the type of dryer, you should initially understand what materials are in the house at the moment.
The internal elements of the drying chamber consist of:
There are no difficulties in manufacturing the elements described above. Usually they are made of linen ropes, wire and strong threads (pre-twisted in 2-3 rows).
The most significant and time consuming part of the camera is the body. It is he who will protect the catch from insects.
Below are the popular options for making dryers from available tools. The proposed instruction will allow you to quickly build a camera.
The most significant and time-consuming part of the camera is the body, it is he who will protect the catch from insects We select plastic boxes of any size and shape. Taking into account the poor throughput of the air masses of plastic, it is necessary to take care of providing the chamber with an exhaust hood.
When manufacturing, you cannot do without the following materials and tools:
The main advantage of the plastic construction is ease of assembly and operation. In addition, the structure can be disassembled, so it will not be difficult to keep it clean.
Given the poor throughput of the air masses of plastic, care must be taken to provide the chamber with an exhaust hood. This design is similar to the model described above. The main difference in this case is the plastic box (ready-made), which is taken as a basis in the first version. The second option involves making it yourself, while setting the desired dimensions.
When making a structure, you cannot do without the following materials:
A dryer made on the basis of wooden blocks is considered the simplest design. Before manufacturing, you should take care of the preparation:
Following simple rules, you can quickly make a drying chamber. Consider an option based on a plastic box.
A dryer made on the basis of wooden blocks is considered the simplest design. Any of the dryers can be made by hand. The most important issue in this case will be the acquisition the necessary tool and material. When choosing a model, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of using the drying chamber. This will allow you to predict the need for equipping with additional elements, for example, legs, suspension mounts, a fan, etc.
You can list design options for drying fish ad infinitum.
Another popular additional drying chamber option is a product with an outlet grate.
In the manufacture of such a dryer, you cannot do without:
Dad, don't you understand, I don't like fatty fish, I like dry fish ...
The task is clear, the goal is set, the tool is ready - we will make a dryer for drying fish.
I'll tell you right away, I just bought mosquito net, in the "hostess" store - 55r running meter, took 2.5 meters - it was enough for my eyes.
Everything else was at the dacha in the garage, in abundance
So, for starters, I took:
4 bars of 120cm - legs of the future dryer
6 bars of 60cm - crossbars
8 bars of 40 cm each - cross-beams on which I will install rods on which the fish will be suspended.
From all this disgrace, I assembled the frame, this is what happened:
Quite crooked but with a soul! It does not affect the meaning of the product in any way - therefore, I did not bother with precision accuracy.
I drilled holes in the short crossbars, not through. I found fittings in the garage - I sawed them to the length I needed with a grinder - and put two fittings on a tier in the drilled holes.
The corners of the structure are fixed with corners
The corners with reinforcing bars inserted into the crossbeams gave the structure rigidity.
I decided that there would be few inserted fittings - the rest were sawn, I just grabbed them on the screws. The main thing is that a hand passes between the fittings - it will be more convenient to hang the product.
Turn it over, wrap it with a mosquito - grab the mosquito with carnations. The main thing here is that the nets should be a bit with a margin, and along one of the corners it went in two layers - otherwise the flies are such people that they will seep into any crack
Bottom. The bottom of the mosquito did not, because the flies manage to place their offspring right on the net covered with a smelling slurry (and from the freshly hung fish - it will inevitably undermine the brine).
So I decided to make it out of ceiling plastic.
Twisted two pieces together, adjusted exactly to size. Here accuracy is important - so that there are no gaps left - flies will not forgive lye
Installed in place, walked around the perimeter with screws.
Then he took the same corner
And fixed the mesh along the side edges of the structure
The rest of the mesh on top - turned out.
The lid, like the bottom, is made of plastic ceiling
We cover, press down with bricks - the finished structure:
After assembly, I found a jamb. When you put your hand into the dryer - you can't reach the bottom, so when hanging the fish - if it falls to the bottom - there will be a small problem with catching it - keep this in mind.
Now take a saucepan
we open, and there, after three weeks of salting
quickly cut with pliers from knitting wire hooks
hang out
But, just what I was talking about - the crucian carp fell to the bottom.
you can't reach it with your hand - but there is a skewer - it's easy for them
We put the dryer with fish in a ventilated, shady place, wait a week, another and delicious dried fish is ready for use.
Not cool or hurt to everyone. Thanks to my son for the task.
